Additional data for December 22, 1986 Interdisciplinary team meeting

INTERDISCIPLINARY TEAM MEETING
December 22, 1986
ADDITIONAL DATA FOR AGENDA ITEMS
Agenda Item No.:
2. Distribution of visual impact maps for the Middle Canyon, and preliminary geotechnical investigation for the Rich County Section.
o UDOT District 1
o UDOT Main office
o Forest Service
o FHWA
o Environmental Community
4. Distribution of background data on the following subjects:
o Resource value of Logan River
o Status of Maguires Primrose in Logan Canyon and attached letter from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
5. Distribution of schedule for completing the environmental technical memoranda and report.
New Item:
Distribution of component and alternative development matrix outline.
SLC-STN/16a
TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM STATUS
ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT SCHEDULE
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNICAL MEMORANDA
1. SOCIOECONOMIC TECH MEMO
o Economics
o Social/Institutional
o Relocation
2. ATMOSPHERE TECH MEMO
o Air Quality
o Noise
o Energy
3. AQUATIC RESOURCES TECH MEMO
o Wild & Scenic Rivers
o Flood Plains.
o Water Quality
o Fisheries
4. TERRESTRIAL RESOURCES TECH MEMO
o Wetlands
o Wlildlife
o T & E Species
5. LAND USE TECH MEMO
o Agricultural
o Other
6. CULTURAL RESOURCES TECH MEMO
o Historical
o Archeological
7. VISUAL RESOURCES TECH MEMO
8. RECREATION TECH MEMO
o Roadside Development
o Pedestrian & Bicycle
9. ALTERNATIVE TECH MEMO
o Description
o Components
o Maps
SLC-STN/16a
Draft 12/22/86
STATUS OF PRIMULA MAGUIREI IN LOGAN CANYON
The Maguire primrose (Primula maguirei) was listed as a threatened species by the u.s. Fish and Wildlife Service on September 20, 1985 (Fed. Reg. 50:33731-33734). The species is found only in Logan Canyon. There were nine known pop­ulations in August 1985; four of which are within the project area. An updated report on the status of Primula maguirei is being prepared by the Utah Native Plant Society and should
be available early in 1987.
Primula maguirei grows on damp ledges, crevices and over­hanging rocks of generally north facing canyon walls. It appears to be restricted to areas of Logan Canyon where the Laketown and Fish Haven dolomites are exposed (W. Padgett, pers. comm.) It has been found on canyon walls with slopes of 50 to 100 percent and at elevations of 4,800 to 5,000 feet. Dominant species of the plant community in the area are mon­tane shrubs, aspen, spruce, and fir. _
Prior to listing this species, a public meeting was held to discuss the listing proposal. Biologists of the U.S. Forest Service and the Utah State University stated that Primula maguirei is essentially restricted to north facing, moss covered limestone cliffs at or near the bottom of Logan Canyon.
Alteration of the microclimate of Logan Canyon may adversely affect the species. These biologists identified two factors that were of special concern. 1) Cold air drainage down Logan Canyon may be a factor in the location of specific populations of the Maguire primrose. Any change in the geo­morphology of the canyon may alter the cold air drainage patterns which may in turn adversely affect one or more of
the populati.ons. 2) Canyon bottom vegetation may have a
1
moderating effect on adjacent cliffs that provide habitat for Primula maguirei, buffering the possibly adverse thermal effect of the existing paved highway through the canyon.
Removal of canyon bottom tree groves for highway or camp­ground construction may alter the microenvironment of the lower canyon cliffs, which in turn may adversely affect populations of the species.
Identified possible threats to Primula maguirei include rock climbing, highway or utility construction through the canyon, new campground development in Logan Canyon, and illegal col­lection for ornamental purposes.
BOT538/010
2
United States Department of the Interior
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
IN REPLY REFER TO
Charles L. Blair
CH2M Hill
700 Clearwater Lane
P.O. Box 8748
Boise, Idaho 83707
Dear Mr. Blair:
ENDANGERED SPECIES OFFICE
2078 ADMINISTRATION BLDG.
1745 WEST 1700 SOUTH
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 84104
October 2, 1986
RECEIVED
OCT 6 1986
We have reviewed your letter of August 29, 1986, concerning highway
improvements to u.s. Highway 89 from Logan Canyon to Bear Lake in northern
Utah.
It appears that listed endangered and threatened species, or species proposed
for listing, may occur in the area of influence of this action. Therefore, we
are furnishing you the following list of species which may be present in the
concerned area:
Primula maguirei Maguire primrose Threatened
We would like to bring to your attention species which are candidates for
official listing as threatened or endangered. While these species have no
legal protection under the Endangered Species Act we ask that you try and
avoid them if they are found in the area. Can~idate species which may occur
in the area of your project are as follows:
Musineon lineare
Erigeron cronquistii
Penstemon compactus
The Federal agency permitting or otherwise authorizing your project should
review your proposed action and determine if the action would affect any
listed species or "their critical habitat. If the determination is "may
affect" for listed species they must request in writing formal consultation
from the Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) at the
address given above. At that time you should provide this office a copy of
the biological assessment and any other relevant information that assisted you
in reaching your conclusion.
Specific concerns the Service has about this project and its potential impacts
on threatened and endangered species are as follows:
Modification of mico environmental conditions for Primula maguirei in
Logan Canyon below Logan Cave.
c.
The Service can enter into formal S'ection 7 consultation only with another
Federal agency. :State, county, or any other governmental or private
organizations can participate in the consultation process, help prepare
information such :as the biological assessment, participate in meetings, etc.
Your attention is also directed to Section 7(d) of the Endangered Species Act,
as amended, which underscores the requirement that the Federal agency or the
applicant shall not make any irreversible or irretrievable commitment of
resources during the consultation period which, in effect, would deny the
formulation or implementation of reasonable and prudent alternatives regarding
their actions on any endangered or threatened species.
If we can be of further assistance, please advise us. The Service
representative who will provide you technical assistance is Larry England
«801) 524-4430) of this office.
cc: UDOT/SLC
FHWA/SLC
o
Sincerely,
Robert G. Ruesink
Field Supervisor
- must know for certain that T&E plants are not around.
- short blooming season (2 weeks) hard to find otherwise.

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INTERDISCIPLINARY TEAM MEETING
December 22, 1986
ADDITIONAL DATA FOR AGENDA ITEMS
Agenda Item No.:
2. Distribution of visual impact maps for the Middle Canyon, and preliminary geotechnical investigation for the Rich County Section.
o UDOT District 1
o UDOT Main office
o Forest Service
o FHWA
o Environmental Community
4. Distribution of background data on the following subjects:
o Resource value of Logan River
o Status of Maguires Primrose in Logan Canyon and attached letter from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
5. Distribution of schedule for completing the environmental technical memoranda and report.
New Item:
Distribution of component and alternative development matrix outline.
SLC-STN/16a
TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM STATUS
ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT SCHEDULE
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNICAL MEMORANDA
1. SOCIOECONOMIC TECH MEMO
o Economics
o Social/Institutional
o Relocation
2. ATMOSPHERE TECH MEMO
o Air Quality
o Noise
o Energy
3. AQUATIC RESOURCES TECH MEMO
o Wild & Scenic Rivers
o Flood Plains.
o Water Quality
o Fisheries
4. TERRESTRIAL RESOURCES TECH MEMO
o Wetlands
o Wlildlife
o T & E Species
5. LAND USE TECH MEMO
o Agricultural
o Other
6. CULTURAL RESOURCES TECH MEMO
o Historical
o Archeological
7. VISUAL RESOURCES TECH MEMO
8. RECREATION TECH MEMO
o Roadside Development
o Pedestrian & Bicycle
9. ALTERNATIVE TECH MEMO
o Description
o Components
o Maps
SLC-STN/16a
Draft 12/22/86
STATUS OF PRIMULA MAGUIREI IN LOGAN CANYON
The Maguire primrose (Primula maguirei) was listed as a threatened species by the u.s. Fish and Wildlife Service on September 20, 1985 (Fed. Reg. 50:33731-33734). The species is found only in Logan Canyon. There were nine known pop­ulations in August 1985; four of which are within the project area. An updated report on the status of Primula maguirei is being prepared by the Utah Native Plant Society and should
be available early in 1987.
Primula maguirei grows on damp ledges, crevices and over­hanging rocks of generally north facing canyon walls. It appears to be restricted to areas of Logan Canyon where the Laketown and Fish Haven dolomites are exposed (W. Padgett, pers. comm.) It has been found on canyon walls with slopes of 50 to 100 percent and at elevations of 4,800 to 5,000 feet. Dominant species of the plant community in the area are mon­tane shrubs, aspen, spruce, and fir. _
Prior to listing this species, a public meeting was held to discuss the listing proposal. Biologists of the U.S. Forest Service and the Utah State University stated that Primula maguirei is essentially restricted to north facing, moss covered limestone cliffs at or near the bottom of Logan Canyon.
Alteration of the microclimate of Logan Canyon may adversely affect the species. These biologists identified two factors that were of special concern. 1) Cold air drainage down Logan Canyon may be a factor in the location of specific populations of the Maguire primrose. Any change in the geo­morphology of the canyon may alter the cold air drainage patterns which may in turn adversely affect one or more of
the populati.ons. 2) Canyon bottom vegetation may have a
1
moderating effect on adjacent cliffs that provide habitat for Primula maguirei, buffering the possibly adverse thermal effect of the existing paved highway through the canyon.
Removal of canyon bottom tree groves for highway or camp­ground construction may alter the microenvironment of the lower canyon cliffs, which in turn may adversely affect populations of the species.
Identified possible threats to Primula maguirei include rock climbing, highway or utility construction through the canyon, new campground development in Logan Canyon, and illegal col­lection for ornamental purposes.
BOT538/010
2
United States Department of the Interior
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
IN REPLY REFER TO
Charles L. Blair
CH2M Hill
700 Clearwater Lane
P.O. Box 8748
Boise, Idaho 83707
Dear Mr. Blair:
ENDANGERED SPECIES OFFICE
2078 ADMINISTRATION BLDG.
1745 WEST 1700 SOUTH
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 84104
October 2, 1986
RECEIVED
OCT 6 1986
We have reviewed your letter of August 29, 1986, concerning highway
improvements to u.s. Highway 89 from Logan Canyon to Bear Lake in northern
Utah.
It appears that listed endangered and threatened species, or species proposed
for listing, may occur in the area of influence of this action. Therefore, we
are furnishing you the following list of species which may be present in the
concerned area:
Primula maguirei Maguire primrose Threatened
We would like to bring to your attention species which are candidates for
official listing as threatened or endangered. While these species have no
legal protection under the Endangered Species Act we ask that you try and
avoid them if they are found in the area. Can~idate species which may occur
in the area of your project are as follows:
Musineon lineare
Erigeron cronquistii
Penstemon compactus
The Federal agency permitting or otherwise authorizing your project should
review your proposed action and determine if the action would affect any
listed species or "their critical habitat. If the determination is "may
affect" for listed species they must request in writing formal consultation
from the Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) at the
address given above. At that time you should provide this office a copy of
the biological assessment and any other relevant information that assisted you
in reaching your conclusion.
Specific concerns the Service has about this project and its potential impacts
on threatened and endangered species are as follows:
Modification of mico environmental conditions for Primula maguirei in
Logan Canyon below Logan Cave.
c.
The Service can enter into formal S'ection 7 consultation only with another
Federal agency. :State, county, or any other governmental or private
organizations can participate in the consultation process, help prepare
information such :as the biological assessment, participate in meetings, etc.
Your attention is also directed to Section 7(d) of the Endangered Species Act,
as amended, which underscores the requirement that the Federal agency or the
applicant shall not make any irreversible or irretrievable commitment of
resources during the consultation period which, in effect, would deny the
formulation or implementation of reasonable and prudent alternatives regarding
their actions on any endangered or threatened species.
If we can be of further assistance, please advise us. The Service
representative who will provide you technical assistance is Larry England
«801) 524-4430) of this office.
cc: UDOT/SLC
FHWA/SLC
o
Sincerely,
Robert G. Ruesink
Field Supervisor
- must know for certain that T&E plants are not around.
- short blooming season (2 weeks) hard to find otherwise.